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Anthony Mann was born in 1927 in Rotherham, Lancashire, England. He studied as an industrial designer at the Central School of Art & Design, London from 1949 to 1951. Mann trained and practiced for a decade in London UK as an industrial designer prior to immigrating to Canada. Here, Mann became employed as Creative Director of the Toronto type house Cooper & Beatty. From 1967-1976 he taught full time at NSCAD University and was an instrumental part of starting a dedicated design division at the school, as well as creating a new design program alongside Frank Fox and Horst Deppe. Tony is recognized as helping to bring the international communication design style to Canada.

This collection of twenty three audio cassettes documents the 20th Century Design History Survey Class taught by Mann in the fall of 1985 at NSCAD. The lectures were recorded by then NSCAD student Jay Rutherford on a Sony Walkman recorder. This collection of Mann's lectures is a series in a broader archival collection of NSCAD Design Cassette Tapes. For detailed information about this series and the broader archival collection please see the finding aid. This project was made possible by the following individuals: Maddie Alexander, David Peters, Jay Rutherford, Tim Mann, and Brian Donnelly. This collection is made available for research and private study use only. For questions regarding using digital material, or to access materials from the broader collection please contact the NSCAD Library. Collection recordings will be added to this site as permissions are obtained. Photographs of Anthony Mann are used on this site with permission from Photographer Shannon Smith.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann gives an introduction to the 20th Century Design History Survey Class. He explains his belief that all history is myth, and discusses how history and culture is cultivated. He explains his belief that art is upheld by a triangle, which consists of theory, history, and criticism. He also introduces himself, and his practice. In part two (Side B), Mann gives an introduction to Design. He discusses the difference between Design, Art, and Craft. He explains the root and use of the word design, the history of institutional design programs, the structure of design associations, and professional standards.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann gives a synopsis of what the syllabus will cover. He goes through projects, topics and eras covered, and text required. He also discusses the components of Typography, elements he describes as decoration and signification. There is discussion with the students around projects to be completed within the course. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on Typography. He talks about formalism, constructivism, and avant garde. He covers the commercialization of design and art, and the transition of art for art sake to art for commission.

In this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the industry of commercial design. He discusses the structure of the “commercial norm”, and the vernacular which accompanies it. He dives back into his ideology of all history being a myth, and ties this into the way that trends and structure in design have fluctuated throughout history. He also explains the concept of designing for context and form. This lecture is in one part.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the types of styles that exist within typography. There is a slide lecture referring to student projects from the year prior, with a breakdown of the expectations of the students for their upcoming projects. Mann explains the elements of styles of typography, and poses questions about what it means for design to be functional. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann discusses the ideas of intuitive positioning, form following function, and expressive typography. He also covers different styles such as art Victorian Revival, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the difference between the “high status” image and “low status” image, and the tradition of “polite" culture. Mann also talks about evolution of industrialization, specialized trades, and the commercial revolution. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann discusses how good or bad “taste” is taught and implemented when looking at art. Mann links the system of creditation to the system of education and social classification. He also talks about the incorporation of the arts and crafts movements, and perceived roles of the professional.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses Humanism, and the appearance of Asymmetry in Typography. He also goes through slide examples of what the essence of Traditional style is. Mann also begins to explain the presence of wood working and wood cuts in Typography. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues discussing the introduction of woodworking and engraving techniques into Typography. Mann explains the stylistic differences between trained designer commercial norms and non trained commercial worker norms. Mann also discusses the tension between art departments and copy departments in regards to style and approach.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the historical emergence of having your own recognizable style become important. Mann talks about the creation of the Chippendales directory, and how style and fashion become social tools. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Anthony Mann talks about the emergence of industrial factories and standardization. Mann discusses the shift from hand made to machine made design, and makers being business men or entrepreneurs who do now have craft backgrounds.The background noise in the recording is quite strong, so it is difficult to hear portions of the lecture.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the emergence of the “art director” and the terminology of graphic design. Mann goes through different slides explaining the different elements of each image and where they come from historically. He also talks about the creation of the chapbook, and different aesthetics pertaining to different publishing mediums. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues the discussion on the semantics of style. There is dialogue between Mann and the students regarding design aesthetics, specifically in regards to commercial consumerism.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the industrial revolution, and the emergence of a separation between the public and the producer. Mann explains the role of the manufacturer vs. the engineer, and the emergence of design and production no longer being one centralized act. Mann also explains the creation and origin of the Art Nouveau movement. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues discussing the relationship between crafts people and engineers during the Victorian Era. Mann explains the shifts that happen in structural design by using the example of the design on the bicycle. Mann also introduces Constructivism, and explains this an an attempt to make art appropriate to the machine made process.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann introduces the era of “ the new advertising”. Mann explains that in this approach of advertising, it's focus is selling a lifestyle or class status rather then selling an object . He covers the introduction of illustration becoming present in advertising and commerce, the emergence of film in advertising, and the style of making “unique” type. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann discusses iconography and signifiers within advertisement campaigns. Mann goes through a slide lecture in which he breaks down different advertisements and the objects' significations within them. There is classroom discussion amongst students and Mann.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann explains the important relationship between form and the function within a design. Mann uses the example of the design of a teapot to very elaborately explain the importance of this relationship. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his epistemology around the history and progression of the teapot design.

The sound quality of this lecture makes it very difficult to discern fully what is being discussed. In part one (Side A) of this lecture it seems Anthony Mann is discussing the emergence and history of the education of design, specifically in the context of post secondary institutions. The sound quality of part two (Side B) of this lecture makes it not possible to discern any full ideas of what is discussed.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the development of the railway. Mann talks about the design structure of trains, planes, and busses. He also introduces the idea of simple slow engineering. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on the design and evolution of planes, trains, and boats/submarines. Mann discusses the relationship between ships and trades and goods, and well as creation of airplanes and clipper ships.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann explains the fine art origins of the New Typography. He discusses asymmetric type, using type to create an image, and non normative design type layout. Mann also discusses Futurism, Dadaism, and the integration of photography into graphic design and modern art. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on The New Typography. He explains the practical applications of this style, as well as its system of rules and community of understand. Mann also discusses Constructivist Typography and the Modern Swiss. Mann continues discussing the emergent relationship between photography and type, as well as art and commerce.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the design structure and evolution of transport vehicles. This covers bicycles, automobiles, motorbikes, and carriages. Mann explains the ways these designs affected and responded to different class structures. Mann also discusses how industrial designers became a part of the commercial force. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues and concludes his discussion on transport design. Mann then begins to discuss the Modern Movement. He explains how the modern movement is based upon the idea that semantics will emerge naturally out of pragmatics. Mann also explains the difference between fashion and style, in regards to modern aesthetics.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the practical approaches to type layout. Mann covers type placement, size, edge relationship, and asymmetry. He also covers the language for typographic elements. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on technical aspects of typographic layout and design. Mann also covers photographic layout, geometric icons, and formalism.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann introduces and discusses neo-constructivism. Mann describes this style and old rules, new angles. He covers experimental typography, and also discusses the ways in which school in Switzerland approach and teach typography. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on neo-constructivism. He discusses further the implementation of photography in design, and its shift to being regarded as a fine art form which can be used for abstract purposes. Mann also has a classroom discussion about post-modern, and contemporary fusion styles.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses chair design and Bauhaus aesthetic. Mann covers German architecture, the modern standard, and functional/utilitarian engineering styles. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann introduces Ad-Hockism Design, and its foundation in assemblage. Mann also discusses the evolution of advertising and marketing of engineered designs, using the example of the typewriter.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann gives the history and context of the Bauhaus school. Mann emphasizes its focus on a materials concentrated program, ones which do not label by discipline or medium but by materials in use. He also covers its roots in being a trade school and art school, and how that is reflected in its educational style. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his lecture on the Bauhaus school. Mann discusses the relationship between instructors and students, and how the Bauhaus created a new language in design that had not previously existed. Mann also talks about the interchangeable relationship between trades and design, using the example that his skills as a designer would also make him a successful carpenter.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann introduces the Modern Functionist Movement. Mann discusses the ways in which city planning and architecture work with or against each other. He talks about the emergence of high rise towers and its effects on city spaces, and the displacement they create. Mann also talks briefly about 50’s revival style. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on architecture and city planning. He talks about how class divides housing structures and design. Mann also introduces the style of “stripped classicism”. Finally, Mann talks about Frank Llyod Wright and his influences.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the relationship between type, image, and illustration. Mann introduces the idea of creative typography, as choosing type as a way to choose how to express an idea. Mann also talks about the approaches advertising campaigns take when choosing a typeface. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his discussion on advertising campaigns relationship to choosing typeface. There is also some classroom discussion.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann discusses the characteristics and attributes of different typefaces. Mann talks about the skill and process of designing a typeface, and the different process’s of getting text onto paper press. Mann also talks about how different typefaces or letter forms have strong characteristics tied to nationalism. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues his conversation on letter type design and characteristics. Mann explains a shift towards more decorative type, and how this effects type setting. At 16:39 min this tape becomes a different recording. It is no longer a lecture or Anthony Mann speaking.

In part one (Side A) of this lecture Anthony Mann talks about manufacturing and graphic design. Mann talks about this through using the examples of toys, automobiles, and ceramics. Mann also discusses the structure of internships. In part two (Side B) of this lecture Mann continues discussing manufacturing and design. He uses tools as his final example of these process’s. Mann then concludes the lecture by showing the class a collection of toys he has designed. This recording concludes the lecture series.

This finding aid is a written description of the NSCAD Design Cassette Tape collection (NSCAD-02) located in the NSCAD Library. This finding aid contains an administrative and custodial history of the collection, scope and content notes, as well as a description of the series in the collection.